kerbear1969

Current VA nurse. If I move and accept a position in another VA do they re-board me or do I keep current grade and step?

It is on the title 38 payscale. If your new coming into the VA its "all" about what you put on your resume, that is what they're basing your starting salary on as well as your degree. Once your in you can advance to next grade by petitioning the board, getting to grade 2 can be done but to grade 3 is an act of congress. Better to get hired at grade 3 for having your MSN.

In the "primary care clinic setting" is what I'm referring too. Can the RN (not NP-already know NP can do these tasks) 1) read and interpret abnormal lab results and abnormal test results to a patient/family member? 2) perform an inner ear assessment using an otoscope to assess whether the patient has an infection or cerumen build up? Flush the ear with debrox, ear wash? 3) Initiate and complete the 90 day interdisciplinary assessment. (I was under the impression this was a way for the NP/MD provider to "lay eyes on the patient" "assess the patient") I'm concerned as the RN's are getting more responsibilities and taskings placed on them the list keeps getting longer and longer and less for the NP/MD providers.

The position I applied for has a starting grade of 1 level 3. That said I got my informal offer of Grade level 1 level 3 step 10, since level 3 starts at step 6 that means I only got 4 additional steps? I was a bit taken back by the offer as I have 23 years nursing experience, a certification on my license, am graduating with BSN December 8th, have been Charge Nurse, Unit Manager and am making 15k (yes 15k) more a year at a local hospital doing homecare, which is the same type of position they are offering. I told them I wanted to wait until I was boarded by the board with my formal offer before making a decision. I knew I would take a pay cut but omg. Do I have to go through all the steps in Grade 1 before being promoted to Grade 2? Second question being that I will have my BSN in a few months do I have to wait the two years to be promoted to grade 2? I know we get COLA yearly but I heard the promotions/step increases are every 2 years.

Initial application referred in February, call for interview mid March, interview beginning of April, gave 5 written reference letters but that isn't going to work, HR has to mail out a 4-5 page reference questionnaire to 4 people that you put into VetPro they also will mail the same type of reference questionnaire to your current supervisor. This part has created a lot of turmoil in my job for me currently, the rumor mill of "are you leaving" has started, I can feel the tension. I HAVE NOT been given a formal offer, still awaiting boarding process to find out where I stand step wise. Was told I will be a grade 1 level 3 not sure about which step yet. I am finishing my BSN this fall but due to title 38 they wouldn't take that into consideration for starting at grade 2. I have 23 years nursing experience and most of the experience in both level 3 and level 2 nursing but its that darn degree that means everything. I don't want to wait for another opportunity to get into the VA because this is a "new" program and they have the openings now, so I need to be ready to jump. I will be taking a paycut, just how much I'm unsure of yet. (10-12k).

I've found out recently what this means, it means for instance Grade 1 then look to right at steps, the numbers 3 under level 2 mean level 2 wound start at step 3 the number 5 under level 3 means the level 3 nurse would start at step 5 and move up in steps based on a NUMBER of factors of which I'm going through now. Hope that makes sense

The link you provided EXTREMELY informative thank you so much!

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 is that ADN, BSN and ARNP? Also how many steps does each year of experience count for? Grade 1 has 19 steps, Grade 2 has 12 steps, Grade 3 has 12 steps and 4, 5 as well have 12 steps. I have an ASN very close to finishing BSN, with 21 years nursing experience.

VetPro says to list all of the employers you've worked for is that just RN or would my LPN experience count? ALSO How far back do they go for employment? I have 20+ years of nursing experience but only 11 as RN

I will be graduating in December 2015 with my BSN, I have a ASN with 21 years nursing experience. Should I wait until I graduate to go forward with a VA job? I am in the process of a 2nd tier interview for a HBPC position. I currently work in the home care sector and make a lot of money in my opinion. I'm worried I will take a huge paycut by not waiting for that BSN title. Thoughts???